Coconut industry hit by Cyclone Ditwah

The Coconut Cultivation Board has urged the public to provide necessary information following severe damage to the coconut industry caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

SC to hear fmr. Moscow Defence Attache’s son’s FR on university admission

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a Fundamental Rights petition filed by the son of the former Defence Attaché to Moscow, challenging the decision of the University Grants Commission decision to not accept his application to local universities.

Permit mandatory for transporting sand deposited in cultivated lands

The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) has announced that obtaining a permit is mandatory for transporting sand accumulated in cultivated lands and paddy fields following recent landslides and floods caused by heavy rainfall.

Safety concerns mount for females in evacuation centres after Ditwah

Conditions in evacuation centres set up following Cyclone Ditwah have raised serious safety concerns, as overcrowding and the lack of privacy increase the risk of violence against vulnerable groups, particularly adolescent girls, elderly women, and women with disabilities, humanitarian agencies point out.

Blood sample of Asoka Ranwala sent to Govt. Analyst

The blood sample report of former Speaker and NPP MP Asoka Ranwala, who was involved in a road accident in Sapugaskanda last week, has been sent to the Government Analyst’s Department (GAD) for official analysis to determine whether he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, the Daily Mirror learns.

Young woman who digitally created another young woman’s nude images fined

The Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama yesterday imposed a compensation order of Rs. 50,000 and a fine of Rs. 5,000 on a young girl, after she pleaded guilty to digitally altering several photographs of a young woman

People’s attitude key to dengue eradication: Expert

Dr Kapila Kannangara, Director, National Dengue Control Unit, called on Sri Lankans and the authorities combating dengue to develop a better attitude since the responsibility lies with them in keeping the environment clean.

Akbar Brothers wins top honours at Presidential Export Awards 2024/25

Akbar Brothers (Pvt) Ltd secured four major titles at the 27th Presidential Export Awards 2024/2025, hosted by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, winning the Overall Award for Net Foreign Exchange Earner of the Year.

Cyclone Ditwah Delay in damage assessment cost SL crucial aid: UNP

The UNP said yesterday that the delay in assessing the loss of lives and property damages of cyclone Ditwah by the authorities has caused a delay in obtaining further foreign aid for rebuilding the nation after the disaster.

Weather predictions cannot be made two weeks before - Meteorologists Assn.

Although there are claims that the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted Cyclone Ditwah on November 13, no methodology has been discovered in the world to make such weather predictions two weeks before,

Former Sri Lankan envoy to New Delhi seeks India’s leadership in Sri Lanka’s recovery Says Japan should be strategic partner

Milinda Moragoda, Founder of the Pathfinder Foundation, was invited by India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Ananta Centre to participate in the 4th India–Japan Forum, held recently in New Delhi. In his presentation, he

Specialists demand probe after surgeon blocked from taking up post

The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has urged the Health Ministry Secretary to launch an immediate inquiry into an incident at the Gampaha District General Hospital, where a surgeon appointed by the Public Service Commission (PSC) was barred from assuming duties on December 10.

NPP, SJB clash over disaster relief in Uva Paranagama

Ruling National Peoples Power (NPP) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) are engaged in a clash over providing disaster relief in Uva Paranagama, it was revealed yesterday.

Thousands of lives saved as people evacuated well in advance: Minister

Amidst claims of the opposition that the government failed to act on prior warnings on the disaster situation, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday people in landslide prone areas were warned well in advance to evacuate by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), police and security forces, based on forecast of the Meteorology Department, which saved thousands of lives.

CEJ demands immediate halt to illegal clearing and construction in Knuckles conservation forest

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has sent a letter of demand to the Conservator General of Forests, calling for the immediate suspension of all illegal clearing and construction activities within the Knuckles Conservation Forest.

Kolonne Pradeshiyia Sabha budget defeated for the second time

The annual budget proposals for 2026 of the Kolonne Pradeshiya Sabha were defeated for the second time by one vote.

Supreme Court orders five policemen to personally compensate businessman for brutal assault

In another judgment underscoring judicial intolerance toward custodial violence, the Supreme Court yesterday ordered five police officers attached to the Divisional Vice Squad of the Anuradhapura Division to personally pay Rs. 900,000 in compensation to a businessman who was subjected to cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment while in police custody.

Invoking blessings on disaster victims Japanese Buddhist Society holds religious programme at Kataragama Kiri Vehera

A Buddhist organization in Japan So One Spiritual Society recently held a religious programme at Kataragama Kirivehera temple in memory of the deceased in the natural disaster and to bless those injured or taken ill with early recovery.

Opposition intensifies its call to convene Parliament

The opposition is slated to intensify its call to convene Parliament as Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) are making preparations to make a written request to that effect.

PHU tells President Start talks with IMF for amending debt-restructuring plan

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) has put forward proposals in writing to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for rebuilding the country.

Illegal constructions will not be allowed in Colombo – Prime Minister

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that no space will be given for unauthorized constructions in the Colombo District under any circumstances.

Landslides were caused by high frequency of rain during recent disaster: Geologist

Recent landslides were caused by high frequency rains which was experienced as a result of cyclone Ditwah, a leading geologist said yesterday.

Cyclone Ditwah leaves 240,000-ton debris across Sri Lanka - UNDP

Debris clearance has become an urgent national priority in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, with more than 240,000 tons of waste and wreckage spread across Sri Lanka, particularly in Colombo, Badulla, and Puttalam, according to a

Court told over 8,000 state-issued firearms remain unlicensed in crop-protection scheme

The writ petition challenging the Defence Ministry’s decision to issue 13,207 firearms to farmers in December 2024 for crop protection was taken up before the Court of Appeal, where it was revealed that only 5,000 of those firearms have

Pirith chanting ceremony to invoke blessings for disaster victims

A special Pirith chanting ceremony was held yesterday at the Gangaramaya Temple, Hunupitiya, Colombo, to invoke blessings for citizens affected by the recent national disasters, with the participation of several dignitaries. The

NBRO criticized for ‘unrealistic’ landslide reports in Kandy

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) faced severe criticism from the Kandy District Coordinating Committee for issuing what officials described as “unrealistic” reports that unnecessarily alarmed the public.

73,000 kgs of vegetables transported from N’Eliya to Colombo

The Nuwara Eliya Economic Centre has transported 73,000 kilograms of vegetables to Colombo yesterday (09) following a large order, the centre’s manager confirmed. A similar quantity was also dispatched on Monday (08).

Motorcycles lead 2025 registrations with 223,423 recorded: DMT

A total of 223,423 motorcycles have been registered so far this year, making them the most registered vehicle category in Sri Lanka, the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) announced.

Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists elects new office bearers

The Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists elected its new office bearers for the 2025/2026 term at its Annual General Meeting held recently.

Supreme Court slams Police brutality; urges government intervention

In a strongly worded judgement condemning police violence, the Supreme Court has ruled that the fundamental rights of a lorry driver were violated by two officers of the Thalatuoya Police Station in Kandy, reiterating that the time has come for the Government to urgently address the systemic problem of police brutality.